Page 24 of The Return
“Are you ready to go home?”
He turned a grateful gaze in my direction. “Yes, if you are, Alpha.”
Hearing him say that to me was… weird. I liked my name, especially from Corey’s lips. Maybe I’d have to rethink this whole adherence to tradition and consider starting new ones. I slid an arm around him and guided Corey through the mob that still hadn’t gone home. As we left, they called and wished him well, telling him they’d be in bright and early for a cup of coffee. He groaned.
“What’s wrong?”
He snuck a glance at his phone. “I have to be up in two hours to get everything ready.”
“Can’t you close?”
He scowled at me. “I haven’t had any business in the last three days! I’m not sure if I can afford my next order now, and you’re wondering if I can close?”
“We can pay for—”
“No, you can’t! Listen, you all gave me a scholarship. You welcomed me to Harken’s Corners as a member of the pack. I need to pull my weight too. I can’t slide by because I’m mated to you.” His eyes widened. “And I still don’t even know what that means!”
I grabbed his wrist and yanked him to me. “I told you. It means I’m your strength. If you have to open in a few hours, let’s do this. We’ll go home, take a shower, and then I’ll come in and help you.”
He smirked. “What do you know about making choux buns?”
“It depends. Are you using gelatin, agar agar, cornstarch, or do you have something else you prefer?”
His jaw dropped, and I had to bite back a laugh. “How did you…?”
“I explained it. We had people keeping an eye on you. They told my mom that the choux buns were one of your biggest sellers, so she and I learned to make them. In fact, we made a file of the ones we loved, the ones we liked, and the ones we could happily toss at people.”
“Fine. What do you know about making a Ristretto?”
This time he had me. “We tried, but it always turned out for crap.”
“I thought you had a chef?”
“We do, but doing this with my mom made me feel…. I don’t know. Like we were still connected.” I hope Corey understood what I meant. I wasn’t as good with my words as he was, so I’d probably mess it up. “You could teach me whatever I need to do. I’m a good student.”
That made him snort. “I think we both know better than that.”
“When Dad brought me up here, he told me that I needed to buckle down. I had to learn every aspect of being an Alpha. That included business acumen. He sat with me every morning and grilled me. Trust me, I can be taught.”
“Not by me. Someone asked for the Ristretto and I said no problem. I ended up in tears in the back office. I’ve got no idea how anyone could make the damned thing consistently.”
I squeezed him gently. “So what do you say? Let me help you?”
He grinned. “I dunno. You’re this high-and-mighty Alpha. What will people think of you slumming with us commoners?”
“They’re going to look at me, and say, ‘He’s a good man. Look how he’s helping his mate. I hope that bastard appreciates what he’s got.’”
He turned his head up and gave me the most brilliant smile. “I’m starting to. If you’re willing, and if you have time, I could really use your help.”
“It would be my honor,” I promised him.
When we got back to his place, I pulled him to the bathroom and helped him strip off his clothes. Then I followed suit.Birthday suit!Okay, it sounded funnier in my head, I’m sure. I turned on the water, until it felt comfortable, then took his elbow and led him under the spray.
“Y’know, I had dreams like this,” he told me as he picked up the washcloth and liquid soap. “Can I…. Would it be okay if I washed you?”
A smart man would say yes. A wise man would say no.
“No, I want to take care of my mate. I’ve got years to make up for, so I should get started.”
